On 27th October Rockwiz , episode 71, featured the Great Max Merritt performing with young country singer Catherine Britt. Max performed on the night with a Greg Bennett all solid guitar.

LOOKING BACK AT A LEGEND:

Max Merritt was born on the 30th of April 1941 in Christchurch, New Zealand. His childhood was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley and Bill Haley. In 1956 he formed his first group, The Meteors. During the early years he performed to a usuall sunday crowd of 900 at Christchurch Railway Hall. The city had a strong American Rock n Roll presence due to the local US military base. The Meteors quickly became noticed by Harry M Miller, and relocated to Auckland where they released an album and the #1 single "Reet Petite".

In 1964, The Meteors moved to Sydney in search of larger success and released another album on RCA Records. In 1966 The Meteors supported the Rolling Stones and The Searchers. As soon as success had struck so, unfortunately, did tragedy. On the 24th June 1967 the Van they were travelling in crashed with band member Stewie Speer and Merritt suffering sever injuries. A year later however and the Meteors were bursting through the atmosphere once again. Another deal with RCA records saw immediate chart success with "Hey, Western Union Man" and a self titled album that reached #8 nationally. In 1972 Merritt relocated to England to find further success.

From 1971 the band played the UK pub circuit and eventually released another album A Little Easier in 1975 with legendary tracks "A Little Easier" and "Slippin' Away". The album was a breakthrough for the band and raked immediate chart success. The emergence of punk rock in England however forced Merritt to look at new pastures and face the US market.

In 1977 Merritt moved to the USA and signed as a solo artist with Polydor records. In 1991 he returned to Australia to tour the club and Pub circuit. Merritt's carreer was then rather quiet till 2001 when he toured the club circuit with fellow 60's rocker Doug Parkinson. This time hailed a ressurgence and demand for the Meteors, culminating in regular appearances at the highly acclaimed, Byron Bay Blues Festival.